Method and apparatus for accessing multi-dimensional mapping and information

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for providing an interactive mapping and panoramic imaging application for utilization by a computer user is provided. A plurality of panoramic images are stored on a panoramic database, each panoramic image corresponding to a geographical location. A panoramic image is displayed on a screen and is navigable in response to input by the user. The panoramic image has embedded hotspots corresponding to selected panoramic images of geographically adjacent locations. Also displayed on the screen, simultaneously with the panoramic image, is a map image corresponding with the panoramic image. The map image is stored on a map database, and the map is navigable in response to input by the user. The map has embedded hotspots corresponding to the plurality of panoramic images. Also displayed on the screen, simultaneously with the panoramic image and the map image, is a text panel displaying textual information corresponding to the displayed panoramic image. The text panel is capable of receiving textual input from the user for activating a search of a text database having a plurality of text data corresponding to the plurality of panoramic images. The displayed panoramic image, the displayed map image and the displayed textual information are updated in response to the user activating a hotspot, such that the displayed panoramic image, the displayed map image and the displayed textual information correspond to one another.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/580,059 filed Jun. 16, 2004.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to viewing map and visual data, andmore specifically to method and apparatus for simultaneously viewingnavigable panoramic images and corresponding navigable map images andinformation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Using overhead, 2-D map images or bird's-eye-view map images in computerbased applications has become commonplace. Typically these maps arenavigable by the user and can be panned in selected directions by use ofa mouse, keyboard or other input device. Usually these maps can beselectively zoomed in or out to show a larger or smaller geographicalarea. Often, as the image is zoomed in, more detailed information willappear on the map, such as street names, points of interest, elevations,etc. Further, these mapping images are often linked to a text panel inwhich the user can input textual search information, such as an address,zip code, street intersections, a business name or type, etc. Uponactivating the search, by hitting “enter” for example, the applicationwill conduct a search of a text database and either display a mapcorresponding to matching textual information, provide a list ofmatching data from which the user can select or indicates that nomatches were found. One such map application is available on Yahoo!(trademark) Maps, such as at http://www.maps.yahoo.com. However, thesemap applications have shortcomings in that they do not provide a pictureor movie image of the indicated location. As such, the user is not ableto see what the location looks like without visiting the location inperson.

Using picture or movie images in computer-based applications enables auser to see how a location appears. However, typical images present onlya limited view of a location in that the image does not supply arotatable 360 degree image. Certain applications provide links between amap image and a photo or movie image corresponding to selected locationson the map. However, these photo images are not panoramic and navigableand so present only a limited, static view of the location. Usingpanoramic images to present virtual, computer-simulated “tours” of realphysical environments is becoming commonplace. Some applications providelinks from a map image to corresponding navigable, panoramic images.These navigable images present a 360 degree image of a location and theuser can rotate the image to select a view from the location. The viewerdisplays a portion of the panoramic image and provides a method forpanning throughout the image and often for zooming in and out on theimage. Typically, these functions are accomplished through a mouse,keyboard or other input device.

A common viewer used to create these tours is sold by Apple ComputerCorp. of Cupertino, Calif., under the trademark Quicktime VR. Itprovides a way to view panoramic images from a web site by using a webbrowser. Other companies provide services and software to create virtualtours, such as software sold under the trademark BAMBOO at internet sitewww.bamboo.com and under the trademark iPix at www.ipix.com. While thesesystems provide for 360 degree panoramic views and navigation of theviews by the user, they do not provide for a corresponding link to a mapimage.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,563,529 to Jongurius presents an Interactive System forDisplaying Detailed View and Direction in Panoramic Images and is herebyincorporated in its entirety for all purposes.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,337,683 to Gilbert, et al. presents Panoramic Movieswhich Simulate Movement through Multidimensional Space and is herebyincorporated in its entirety for all purposes.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,031,541 to Lipscomb, et al. presents a Method andApparatus for Viewing Panoramic Three Dimensional Scenes and is herebyincorporated in its entirety for all purposes.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,144,958 to Ortega, et al. presents a System and Methodfor Correcting Spelling Errors in Search Queries and is herebyincorporated in its entirety for all purposes.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,401,084 to Ortega, et al. presents a System and Methodfor Correcting Spelling Errors in Search Queries using both Matching andNon-Matching search terms and is hereby incorporated in its entirety forall purposes.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,853,993 to Ortega, et al. presents a System and Methodsfor Predicting Correct Spellings of Terms in Multiple-Term SearchQueries and is hereby incorporated in its entirety for all purposes.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,185,558 to Bowman, et al. presents Identifying the ItemsMost Relevant to a Current Query Based on Items Selected in Connectionwith Similar Queries and is hereby incorporated in its entirety for allpurposes.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,169,986 to Bowman, et al. presents a System and Methodfor Refining Search Queries and is hereby incorporated in its entiretyfor all purposes.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0249686 to Murphy presentsa Method and Computer Program for Generating Interactive Map-BasedPresentation Facilitating Selection of Lodging Property and is herebyincorporated in its entirety for all purposes.

International Publication No. WO 2004/017233 to Norton-Baker presents anInteractive Property Tour and is hereby incorporated in its entirety forall purposes.

Consequently, there is a need for an application that simultaneouslyprovides for a user a map image and a corresponding panoramic image.Further, there is a need for textual information corresponding to thepanoramic image, such as geographic and other information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and apparatus for providing an interactive mapping andpanoramic imaging application for utilization by a computer user isprovided. A plurality of panoramic images are stored on a panoramicdatabase, each panoramic image corresponding to a geographical location.A panoramic image is displayed on a screen and is navigable in responseto input by the user. The panoramic image has embedded hotspotscorresponding to selected panoramic images of geographically adjacentlocations. Also displayed on the screen, simultaneously with thepanoramic image, is a map image corresponding with the panoramic image.The map image is stored on a map database, and the map is navigable inresponse to input by the user. The map has embedded hotspotscorresponding to the plurality of panoramic images. Also displayed onthe screen, simultaneously with the panoramic image and the map image,is a text panel displaying textual information corresponding to thedisplayed panoramic image. The text panel is capable of receivingtextual input from the user for activating a search of a text databasehaving a plurality of text data corresponding to the plurality ofpanoramic images. The displayed panoramic image, the displayed map imageand the displayed textual information are updated in response to theuser activating a hotspot, such that the displayed panoramic image, thedisplayed map image and the displayed textual information correspond toone another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Drawings of the preferred embodiment of the invention are attachedhereto, so that the invention may be better and more fully understood:

FIG. 1 presents a sample screen having the corresponding panoramicimage, map image and text panel of the invention;

FIG. 2 presents the screen of FIG. 1 with the map image zoomed in andshowing further features of the invention;

FIG. 3 presents the screen of FIG. 2 with the panoramic image rotated;

FIG. 4 presents a screen showing images and information corresponding toa separate panoramic image;

FIG. 5 presents a screen showing images and information corresponding toa separate panoramic image;

FIG. 6 presents a screen having multiple search results displayed; and

FIG. 7 presents a sample logic tree of the invention.

Numeral references are employed to designate like parts throughout thevarious figures of the drawing. Terms such as “left,” “right,”“horizontal,” “vertical,” “up” and “down,” when used in reference to thedrawings, generally refer to orientation of the parts in the illustratedembodiment. The terms used herein are meant only to refer to therelative positions and/or orientations, for convenience, and are notmeant to be understood to be in any manner otherwise limiting. Further,dimensions specified herein are intended to provide examples and shouldnot be considered limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The product consists of numerous photographic or similar images in adatabase format. The images are panoramas of various locations ofinterest. The panoramas are viewed with Apple's QuickTime™ VR or similarmethod. The images have hot spot locations embedded within them thatpermit the user to navigate to other points in the image database thatare adjacent to the image being viewed. The images may have other dataassociated with them such as street address, zip code, GPS coordinate,Mapsco™ reference or similar, top-down (2-D) map location, property lotsize, pertinent historical information, or other. The product isintended to replace or enhance 2-D maps with actual imagery in place of,or in conjunction with, overhead and/or panoramic views of locations.The product can be scaled, for example, from an individual home locationto a city area. Preferably, it is intended that images be taken at leastevery 50 feet within a particular location of interest, although theinvention is not limited to such intervals of images.

The product has applications in the real estate business, the travel andtourism industry, personal or commercial auto navigation, and otherindustries.

FIG. 1 presents a screen 10 having a map image 12, a panoramic image 14and a text panel 16. Each of these images and panels is simultaneouslyvisible on the screen 10 to the user. FIG. 1 presents a sample screendisplay embodying aspects of the invention. The screen display is only asample and could vary greatly in appearance. For example, the relativesizes and positioning of the images is not important to the practice ofthe invention. The screen 10 can be any visual display, but ispreferably a computer screen. The screen 10 can be part of a personalcomputer system, a network, operated from data received locally, bynetwork or on the internet.

The map image 12 presents an overhead representational map image. Theimage could alternately incorporate actual overhead photographs, such asare available through the United States Geological Survey (USGS) at itsEROS data center, or through the USGS NAPP web site. Information can besuperimposed onto such photo images, if desired. The map can includeinformation such as street names, zip codes, landmarks, points ofinterest, parks, reserves, state and country borders, bodies of waterand other information, whether in test or graphic form. The map image 12is navigable by the user. Typically, the user can employ a mouse inputdevice to point-and-click to a location on the map image and the mapimage will “shift” or change to place the indicated location in thecenter of the map image. Alternately, the user can employ directionalindicators, such as indicators 22, or other input devices such as akeyboard. Similarly, the user can preferably zoom in and out on the mapimage 14 by using an input device, indicators, etc. The particularlocation on which the map is centered can be indicated by a locationicon 20, such as a colored dot or pin icon.

As seen in FIG. 2, embedded within the map image are a plurality of“hotspots” or links 24, which are linked to panoramic images, as will beexplained further herein. The hotspots 24 can be programmed to appear atall times, to appear only when the map is zoomed in to a selecteddegree, to never appear or to appear only when the user scrolls-over thehotspot 24 with a mouse or other input device. The appearance criteriafor the hotspots 24 can also be controlled by the user, if desired.Alternately, the scrolling icon representing the location of the user'smouse or other device on the screen can change to a different iconindicating the presence at that location on the map of a hotspot. Acombination of these features may be preferable, such as having thehotspots appear as small white dots, the location in current use appearas a larger red dot, and the mouse indicator appear as an arrow unlessit is scrolled-over a hotspot, in which case it changes to appear as ahand, for example. In FIG. 2, the user has zoomed in on the map andactivated a hotspot or entered an address in the text panel 16, as willbe explained herein. FIG. 2 is an example only and the map image willpreferably have a much larger number of hotspots.

The map image 12 may have other functionalities as well. For example, asseen in FIG. 2, other information 27, such as an address, intersectionstreets, point of interest names, etc., may be employed. The information27 can indicate information about the location upon which the map iscentered, as shown, or can indicate information about other hotspots.Such information 27 can appear when desired, such as always appear,appear upon scroll-over or when indicated by the user, etc.

The panoramic image 14 is simultaneously displayed on the screen 10. Thepanoramic image 14 displayed corresponds to the location 20 indicated onthe map image 12. The panoramic image 14 presents, preferably, astreet-level view. The panoramic image 14 is a 360 degree image whichcan be panned, or “rotated,” by the user such that the user sees animage looking out from the point of the panoramic image. (It is notintended that potential infringement could be avoided by allowingsomewhat less than full rotation.) The image can be panned by the userusing a mouse or other input device, as is known in the art. Forexample, in FIG. 3, the image from FIG. 2 has been panned to faceanother direction. Similarly, the image can preferably be zoomed in andout by the user. Further, the image may be tilted, that is, panned upand down. It is possible to use panoramic imaging technology to supply aspherical viewing of an image, that is, having a “top” and “bottom” aswell as the cylindrical side. The panoramic image can be a photo ormovie image, as is known in the art.

The panoramic image allows the user to virtually see what he wouldactually see were he present at the location physically. This provides avisual correlation between the map image and the panoramic image. Thisis particularly useful where the user is searching for real estate andwants a “feel” for the neighborhood, or is searching for a store orother location and wants to find a “landmark” to search for in person,wants to tour an area or building, see storefronts, etc.

Embedded within the panoramic image 14 are hotspots or links 24. Thesehotspots 24 correspond to the hotspots 24 in the map image 12. Forexample, as seen in FIG. 4, hotspot 24 a in the panoramic imagecorresponds to hotspot 24 a in the map image. Similarly, hotspots 24 bcorrespond. If the panoramic image 12 was rotated around, such that theview was facing east, a hotspot 24 c would appear corresponding to thehotspot 24 c in the map image. The panoramic image 12 can have one orseveral hotspots. Typically, the panoramic image 12 would not have bothhotspots 24 a and 24 b, since they are both in the same direction,however, it is possible to have multiple hotspots linking as shown. Foruse of the invention in a town map, as shown, a panoramic image 12 at anintersection, such as at hotspot 24 b, would typically have fourhotspots, one in each direction of the intersection. Similarly, apanoramic image in the middle of a street, as in FIG. 4, might only havetwo hotspots. As shown, multiple hotspots in the same general directionwould allow a user to “walk” down the street, image by image, or “skip”images, such as to the next intersection.

Note that the invention has other applications than just street maps andcan be employed for navigation within buildings, at parks and monumentsand other points of interest, or for other uses.

The hotspots 24 in the panoramic image 12 are indicated by square iconsfor reference, but, just as described above regarding hotspots withinthe map image, the hotspots can appear, be invisible, appear uponscroll-over or by selection of the user, such as by indicator 27 whichwill reveal all hotspots. The hotspots can appear as a separate icon orcan be indicated by a mouse location icon changing shape or color.

Preferably, the panoramic images 12 “overlap” or provide a continuousphotographic coverage of the geographical location. For example, in usewith street touring or navigation, a panoramic image can be taken everyfifty feet to provide a view of the entire street. This may not bepossible, or necessary, obviously, where buildings, private property orother obstacles will not allow for an overlapping images.

Where the user indicates, on the map image 12, a location which does nothave a corresponding panoramic image 14, the program can either centerthe map image at that location, in which case no hotspot will appear atthe center of the map image, or, preferably, can automatically centerthe map image on the closest hotspot. The user can indicate, such as bypointing and clicking, any of the hotspots on the map image or panoramicimage. Activating the hotspot automatically updates, or changes the mapimage 12 and the panoramic image 14 seen on the screen to the map andpanoramic images corresponding to the activated hotspot. Further, it ispossible to have the corresponding map image hotspot 24 a becomehigh-lighted, such as by appearing, changing colors, etc., when the userscrolls-over or otherwise indicates the corresponding hotspot 24 a onthe panoramic image 14, and vice versa.

FIG. 5 is a screen 10 indicating the user has either linked to a hotspot24 b on the panoramic image of FIG. 4 or on the map image link 24 b.Alternately, the user may have entered the intersection streetinformation in the search fields 30 of the text panel 16, as explainedbelow. Regardless of the method the user utilized to reach thislocation, the map image, the panoramic image and the text panel all areupdated to display information corresponding to the chosen location.

Text panel 16 is also visible on the screen 10 simultaneously with mapimage 12 and panoramic image 14. The text panel 16 conveys textualinformation corresponding to the panoramic image, such as the address orintersection at the location of the panoramic image. Other informationcan be supplied, depending on the application, such as the name of abuilding, room or other location, pertinent historical or otherinformation, etc. The text panel 16 can include information such asdirectional or linking information 28. That is, the directionalinformation 28 in FIG. 4 reads “West on Caruth to Airline” which mayindicate the direction (west) the user is facing on Caruth Blvd., andthat he is facing towards Airline Road at the next intersection.Alternately, the information 28 could read “3129 Caruth” to indicate thelocation of the shown panoramic image (and map image location). Inanother embodiment, the information 28 can be information regarding thehotspot link the user has indicated, by scrolling-over, for example. Inthat case, in FIG. 4, as the user scrolled-over hotspot 24 b in thepanoramic image, the information 28 would read “West to the Caruth andAirline intersection,” for example. If the user scrolled-over thehotspot 24 a, the text would read “West to 3145 Caruth,” for example.Similarly, if the hotspot linked to a building or other point ofinterest the information 28 would indicate the name or other informationregarding that hotspot image. The image itself can have ordinatedirections (N,S,E,W) on the panoramic image itself, preferably locatedat the bottom of the image so that it is more obvious which directionthe user is facing in the panoramic image. Note that although the textpanel as shown is located in one part of the screen 10, in anotherembodiment the text could be located in multiple locations.

The text panel 16 also includes search text input fields 30, seen inFIGS. 4 and 5, for example. The user can input textual information inthe fields 30 and initiate or activate a search based on those terms.For example, in FIG. 2, the user may have entered the Street Number“3113” and the Street Name “Caruth.” In FIG. 5, the text fields arestreets which intersect. Upon activation of the search, such as byactivating indicator 32, the program would initiate a search of a textdatabase 34 stored on a computer readable medium. If matchinginformation is found, the program automatically updates the map image,such as by shifting or centering the map, and panoramic image, bydisplaying the image corresponding to the entered criteria and maplocation. If more than one match is returned based on the searchcriteria, such as in FIG. 6, a pop-up box 36 can appear on the screen 10listing the available matches 38. The matches 38 are also embedded linksor hotspots that, when activated, will update the map and panoramicimages to correspond to the selected hotspot or link. The pop-up box 36would then disappear. The pop-up box 36 is only one embodiment of such afeature. The information regarding multiple search results could appearwithin the text panel, elsewhere on the screen or otherwise.

The search feature of the text panel can include other searchmechanisms, such as searching by keyword, address, street intersections,zip code, GPS coordinates, etc. For example, keywords might include suchpoints of interest as parks, churches, schools, pizza parlors, etc. Thekeywords will obviously depend on the application. The text panel 16 caninclude tabs 39, if desired, to switch from one type of search criteriato another. If a search keyword is employed, in one preferredembodiment, the text panel or a pop-up panel would list all of thelocations matching the keyword which appear on the map image.Alternately, the closest locations matching the keyword can be shown.The search feature can employ other techniques known in the art, such assearching for alternate spellings, locating the closest address,suggesting alternate search terms, indicating a successful orunsuccessful search, etc.

The text panel can include other information, such as advertising orprovider information, such as a logo 40. The text panel can alsoindicate GPS coordinates corresponding to the panoramic image orhotspot. Similarly, the text search fields can allow searching by suchcriteria. The text database includes all textual informationcorresponding to a panoramic image.

In use, the application provides a method and apparatus forsimultaneously viewing navigable panoramic images, correspondingnavigable map images and textual data and allows input to searchabletext fields. FIG. 7 presents a logic chart of one embodiment of theinvention. At start-up, the screen displays a set of defaultinformation, as indicated: default map image, default panoramic image,default textual information, default GPS coordinates, default logo andother default data as desired. The system can eliminate some or all ofthe default data. For example, the screen can show only nominalinformation, such as search fields in the text panel, and not displayany map or panoramic images until the user indicates a desired field ofsearch.

The user enters search field criteria, such as an address, zip code, GPScoordinates, a keyword, etc., or the user can activate a hotspot ineither the map or panoramic images. Depending on the action of the user,the program will undertake different actions. Data for searching andcross-referencing is stored in computer-readable media in databases. Apanoramic image database 52 stores the plurality of panoramic images. Amap database 50 stores the map image or images. A text database 34stores the text data corresponding to the panoramic images. The textdata can include multiple data for a single panoramic image, such as thedata types discussed herein. The data in storage in the databases iscross-referenced to gather corresponding information and data. Thecross-correlation can be accomplished by various means known in the art,including by creating cross-reference databases in Access (trademark)software commercially available from Microsoft Corp. Selected images anddata are then displayed on the screen. The process is repeated based onthe actions of the user and the screen is updated or changed to displaythe panoramic image, map image and text data corresponding to the user'saction.

For example, if a hotspot was activated from within the map image orpanoramic image, the program will cross-reference all data associatedwith that hotspot, such as the corresponding map image location, thecorresponding panoramic image and any corresponding textual data,whether the data is to be displayed or not. For example, the GPScoordinates associated with a panoramic image may be accessed and usedto cross-reference to a location on the map image, but those coordinatesmay not be displayed on the screen. Some data corresponding to thehotspot may not be displayed because the user has indicated to hide theinformation or has not clicked on the text tab which would display thatinformation. The information to be displayed will include a panoramicimage corresponding to the hotspot, a map image corresponding to thepanoramic image and text information to be displayed in the text panel.Other information may be displayed as well, as desired or as indicatedby the user.

Similarly, if the user entered search criteria in the text panel searchfields 30, the program would initiate a search based on that criteria.If a single search result is returned, or if the user selects one of aseries of search results, the panoramic image, map image and possiblytext data are updated or changed to display the informationcorresponding to the search result or selection.

The process can be repeated as desired. The invention providescorresponding panoramic images, map images and text information,including search fields, for a selected geographic area. The user hassimultaneous access to the map and panoramic images and the textualpanel.

GPS coordinates can be used to “place” location points on the map imageautomatically. This can be accomplished by using Pepperwhite Street Map(trademark) from Pepperwhite Corp. available at www.pepperwhite.com.Similarly, equipment and software, such as GPS-Photo Link iscommercially available from GeoSpatial Experts (trademark) and linksphotographs with GPS coordinates.

The apparatus and methods in the embodiments shown and described aboveare only exemplary. Therefore, many details are neither shown nordescribed. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of thepresent inventions have been set forth in the foregoing description,together with details of the structure and function of the inventions,the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in thedetail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of theparts within the principles of the inventions to the full extentindicated by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the attachedclaims. The restrictive description and drawings of the specificexamples above do not point out what an infringement of this patentwould be, but are to provide at least one explanation of how to make anduse the inventions. The limits of the inventions and the bounds of thepatent protection are measured by and defined in the following claims.

1. A method of providing an interactive mapping and panoramic imagingapplication for utilization by a computer user, the method comprisingthe steps of: displaying on a screen one of a plurality of panoramicimages stored on a panoramic database, each panoramic imagecorresponding to a geographical location, the panoramic image navigablein response to input by the user, the panoramic image having embeddedhotspots therein corresponding to selected panoramic images ofgeographically adjacent locations, displaying on the screen,simultaneous with displaying the panoramic image, a map imagecorresponding with the displayed panoramic image, the map image storedon a map database, the map navigable in response to input by the user,the map having embedded hotspots therein corresponding to the pluralityof panoramic images, displaying on the screen, simultaneously withdisplaying the panoramic image and the map image, a text panel, the textpanel displaying textual information corresponding to the displayedpanoramic image, the text panel capable of receiving textual input fromthe user for activating a search of a text database having a pluralityof text data corresponding to the plurality of panoramic images,updating the displayed panoramic image, the displayed map image and thedisplayed textual information, in response to the user activating ahotspot, such that the displayed panoramic image, the displayed mapimage and the displayed textual information correspond to one another.2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of updating the displayedmap image comprises centering the map image about a locationcorresponding to the displayed panoramic image.
 3. A method as in claim1, wherein the step of updating the displayed panoramic image comprisesdisplaying a different panoramic image.
 4. A method as in claim 1,further comprising the step of updating the displayed map image andpanoramic image in response to the user activating a search in the textpanel, the updated panoramic and map images corresponding to the textualinput from the user.
 5. A method as in claim 1, further comprising thestep of cross-referencing the map database, the text database and thepanoramic image database.
 6. A method as in claim 1, wherein the textpanel comprises a plurality of search fields.
 7. A method as in claim 6,wherein the search fields include an address field.
 8. A method as inclaim 6, wherein the search fields include fields for inputtingintersecting streets.
 9. A method as in claim 1, wherein each panoramicimage is substantially a 360 degree image and is navigable by a user torotate substantially 360 degrees.
 10. A method as in claim 9, whereineach panoramic image covers a geographical area and wherein adjacentpanoramic images at least partially overlap geographical areas.
 11. Amethod as in claim 1, wherein the map image is navigable by a user topan in a selected direction and to zoom in and out.
 12. A method as inclaim 1, wherein the hotspots are indicated on the screen by icons. 13.A method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of storing a GPScoordinate database corresponding to the map image database.
 14. Amethod as in claim 13, further comprising displaying GPS coordinatescorresponding to the displayed panoramic image.
 15. A method as in claim6, wherein the text fields include a keyword field, the text databasehaving keywords associated with selected text data and cross-referencedto corresponding panoramic images.
 16. A method as in claim 15, whereinactivating a search of the text database results in displaying aplurality of matching text data, and wherein the user can select one ofthe plurality of matching text data, and wherein, in response to theuser's selection, the displayed map image and panoramic image areupdated with images corresponding to the selected text data.
 17. Amethod as in claim 1, wherein the text panel comprises a plurality oftabs for selectively displaying varying textual information and searchfields.